Vascular Malformation and Chemotherapy

Hi I am a 59 year old woman and have just started Chemotherapy for grade 2 breast cancer.  Started treatment Monday. I have a large benign vascular malformation which extends from my abdomen and right flank into my groin.  This has always given me some pain and discomfort but since Monday the pain is difficult to manage and I am looking for ant advice on how I can manage it alongside being wiped from treatment. Thank you. 

  • Hi and thanks for posting

    This must be difficult for you and I do hope that you have mentioned the pain you are having with the breast care nurses and also your specialist. It's important that they know how this is affecting you, as they can then try different painkillers that may work best for you. It's most probably not something that they see very often, so it may be a case of trying different things to help you with this. Taking painkillers regularly to get on top of the pain will work better than just taking something when it's really bad, so after discussing it with the medical team do try this.

    There's more here about coping with the more general effects of chemotherapy , but the pain and discomfort from the vascular malformation may need a referral to the pain clinic if it's proving difficult to get on top of controlling the pain. So do ask the team about this 

    I hope you manage to get the pain controlled 

    If you would like to have a chat about any of this, please do give us a ring - on Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best

    Wanda

  • Thank you so much.  I have left a message for my breast cancer nurse and trying regular ibuprofen.  It has crossed my mind that my malformation  is pressing on my bowel and chemo has stopped me going to the loo so I'm also going to take senokot this evening hoping that may take pressure off it.  I am a bit of an anomaly I realise but if things don't improve I will call you for further  advice.   Thank you so much for your reply. X